Rapid Specimen Preparation Using Microwave Energy

Abstract

In recent years the feasibility of using microwave energy to fix tissue and expedite histologic staining has been tested. The technique has proven to be particularly valuable for shortening staining time of light microscopy preparations', thus enabling more rapid diagnosis which may be critical to patient care.Rapid preparation of tissue for electron microscopy is often desirable in diagnostic ultrastructural pathology but with techniques commonly in use several hours may elapse before epoxy resin blocks reach a consistency suitable for ultrathin sectioning.In this laboratory, microwave energy has been used to polymerise epoxy resin and the usefulness of the technique has been evaluated.Kidney, liver and lung from male Wistar rats were fixed in phosphate buffered glutaraldehyde, cacodylate buffered glutaraldehyde and universal fixative.